Academy Nominations

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Apply for Academy Nomination Here

It is my honor to nominate Wyoming residents to the US Service Academies. A commission from a Service Academy – Air ForceNavyWest Point, or Merchant Marine – is a great place to begin a career serving in our nation’s armed forces. Applicants should start working on each academy’s requirements early. It is imperative to complete forms accurately and to be mindful of deadlines. The Coast Guard also offers a Service Academy but does not require a Congressional nomination. If you are interested in the Coast Guard Academy, please visit directly with the Coast Guard to apply.

Competition for the appointments is rigorous. Successful applicants will have:

  • Strong High School GPAs
  • High scores on the ACT or SAT
  • Demonstrated leadership and strength of character through participation in sports, extracurricular activities, employment, and community service

An appointment requires two applications – one for a Congressional nomination and one to the individual Service Academy of your choosing.

Requirements for a NOMINATION
You must complete the online application by 31 Oct 23; Your application will include:

  • A 3-4 page essay
  • Photograph
  • High School and/or College transcripts
  • A copy of your highest ACT or SAT score
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal Identifying questions

Test Scores
Results of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Training (ACT) scores should be sent to my Casper office by using the code number 4985 for the SAT and 7200 for the ACT.

NOTE: All application materials you are unable to upload to the online application must be mailed to the address below and emailed to the following: Patrick_Sheehan@Barrasso.Senate.Gov. Any mailed application materials must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2023.
US Senator John Barrasso
ATTN: Patrick Sheehan
PO Box 22201
Casper, WY 82602

Academy Board Interview After submitting a completed application, you will interview with my Academy Board. Interviews are in Casper, typically the first Saturday in December. The three Wyoming Congressional offices conduct their boards in the Dick Cheney Federal Building and usually on the same date to assist with travel concerns.

To Prepare For Your Interview, Be Prepared To Describe and Discuss:

  • Avenues of commissioning
  • Relationship between the officer and enlisted ranks
  • Expectations placed on a newly commissioned officer
  • Current events
  • Recent books you’ve read
  • Military interests
  • Degree plan and desired profession
  • Your drive to serve others

Based on the board’s recommendation, I will announce my nominations by early January. Each academy will then make their appointments based on character, scholarship, test scores, leadership, physical and medical fitness, motivation, and suitability for a military career.

Contact my Military LiaisonPatrick Sheehan in my Casper office (307-261-6413) with questions. He can help you create the strongest application packet possible.

Academy Board Members

Captain (Ret.) Mike Morrissey


Mike Morrissey is a retired Navy Captain and married to Jody Jennings. After his active duty junior officer tour as a Navy Submarine Officer, Mike transitioned to the Active Reserve where he served within the US Space Command and US Strategic Command as well as supporting the Defense Support to Civilian Authorities (DoD support to FEMA efforts) before retiring in 2016. Mike was recalled to Active Duty in 2014 to support the Naval Forces Central Command and Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain. Mike is currently a Regional Business Manager for Rocky Mountain Power, an electric power utility based in Salt Lake City which serves a majority of Wyoming electric customers.

Originally from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Mike’s career began as a Midshipman at the US Naval Academy (class of 1986). In 1985 Mike was elected by his teammates to be the Captain of the Lightweight Crew Team. Professionalism and integrity were instilled in Mike through his training and service at the Naval Academy and throughout his naval career.

Mike has earned multiple Navy and DoD awards and earned a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from The Colorado School of Mines and Bachelor of Science in Physics from the US Naval Academy. Mike continues to support the Boy Scouts of America in service through a troop in Boulder, Colorado. He resides in Casper, WY with his wife, Jody.

Commander (Ret.) Thomas Arnold

Commander Arnold graduated from the Naval Academy in 1968 at the height of the Viet Nam War. He applied to the Naval Academy the beginning of his high school senior year and was selected on his third application.

In 1971 Commander Arnold served in Vietnam as the advisor to the commanding officer of a Coastal Group in the Mekong Delta. The unit’s boat had the job of patrolling the rivers and canals. He commanded a small team of Americans who advised Vietnamese troops and participated in their operations. He served as a forward air controller riding on Vietnamese armored gunboats and controlling the American helicopter gunships during their operations.

Upon returning to the U.S., Commander Arnold was an instructor at the Navy Riverine Warfare School in Coronado CA. He left active duty to open his own business. He continued to serve in the Navy Reserves and became an Intelligence Officer, eventually retiring from the Reserves as the Commanding Officer of a Reserve Intelligence Unit. Recently he served as a volunteer admissions officer (Blue and Gold Officer) for the US Naval Academy.

Commander Arnold and his wife, Karen, have three grown children.

Captain (Ret.) Jody Jennings

Jody Jennings retired as a Captain in 2013 after a career as a Navy Intelligence Officer. She is married to Mike Morrissey and is currently an accounting specialist with Abt Associates. Abt is a global firm that focuses on improving people’s lives through projects that increase crop yields, combatting infectious disease to ensuring safe drinking water and promoting access to affordable housing.

After five years of active duty as a Navy Intelligence Officer Jody joined the Navy Reserves where she led multiple Navy Intelligence commands with over a 100 officers and sailors. Hailing from Reedville, Virginia, Jody’s career began as a Midshipman at the US Naval Academy (class of 1986) in one of the first several classes to graduate women. Her experience at the Naval Academy and her Navy career have prepared her for a life of service, integrity and professionalism.

Jody has earned multiple Navy and DoD awards and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the US Naval Academy. She resides in Casper, WY with her husband Mike.

Patrick Sheehan Military Liaison, US Senator John Barrasso M.D.

Soon after graduating in 2000 from Natrona County High School, Patrick enlisted in the Air Force as a Security Policeman. Throughout his military career, he served under five major commands, including the historical 8th Air Force, “Bloody 100th” out of R.A.F. Mildenhall. He separated from the Air Force in 2012 after serving at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

During his tenure in the Air Force, Patrick was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was deployed multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In support of OIF, Patrick was assigned to the Army’s 310th MP Battalion working correctional duties in the country’s largest internment facility. Supporting OEF, Patrick deployed four more times including to Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., and twice to Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan Patrick worked perimeter and aircraft defense teams, security details for small intelligence-gathering missions off base, as well as Designated Marksman missions for Airmen on patrol.

Patrick has earned multiple USAF, Army, and NATO medals as well as Degrees from the USAF, University of Alaska Anchorage, and the University of Wyoming. Patrick has been married to Megan for over 10 years, and they are raising their young daughter Maeve in Casper.

 

Apply for Academy Nomination Here